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The Coca-Cola Company has released several flavor extensions of its signature brands -- from cherry Coke to Diet Coke with Lime -- in markets around the world. Many New Zealanders enjoy adding a shot of raspberry syrup to their Coca-Cola in convenience stores and quick-serve restaurants, and the Company has taken notice.
Starting May 30, New Zealanders will become the first to try Coca-Cola with Raspberry and Diet Coke with Raspberry.
The Coca-Cola New Zealand team did not have to look far for inspiration. They observed behavior at self-serve soda fountains, where consumers can make the choice themselves.
The Company tested a range of flavors with Coca-Cola, yet raspberry was the clear favorite.
The fact that the raspberry experience was already occurring in-market and the New Zealand market embraces innovation made it the obvious choice. New Zealand serves as a good test market for the Company -- though relatively small, it offers many elements of larger Western markets. New Zealanders (or Kiwis, as they are affectionately called) have a strong affinity for the Coca-Cola brand and are known as early adopters of new products.
New Zealand is the second market to launch flavored versions of Coca-Cola and Diet Coke simultaneously. Mexico launched Coca-Cola Citra and Diet Coke Citra earlier this year.
The new extension joins vanilla in both brand families and will replace Diet Coke with Lime.
Product reviews...
Review by: kymmage
Dated: 15th of January, 2012
I have to completely agree with past reviewers regarding Raspberry Coke. I had really been looking forward to this one. I loved the lemon Coke, Cherry Coke and Vanilla Coke. And I also had a childhood filled of pub visit memories that sometimes involved lemonade with raspberry syrup or Coke with raspberry syrup. Delicious!
It was also my favourite thing to do at Burger King - mix a 50/50 Raspberry Coke! Awesome Sauce.
So when I cracked this open and took a swig, I was sorely disappointed. The taste of raspberry was sooo subtle I could hardly taste it. When I had swallowed and allowed the taste to settle in my mouth, I was horrified by the deeply chemical after taste that accompanied the Raspberry flavour. Why, I lamented, could they not have used the good ol Raspberry syrup of my youth. But they hadn't and as a result, I sadly downed the bottle (couldnt bring myself to waste drink) and vowed never to buy this again. For all they get right though, I couldnt be too angry about this miss.
Review by: missvicqui
Dated: 29th of June, 2011
I am a huge coke fan so was excited about the idea of raspberry flavoured coke...Heaven!! It bought back so many memories from raspberry and coke being the drink I was allowed when I was out with my parents, it was such a treat.
I was sorely disappointed, the taste was very artificial and it left a bad after taste. There was nothing appealing about this which is a real shame.
Thankfully I still have my diet coke and my memories :)
Review by: greenplace
Dated: 19th of July, 2008
I agree with recent reviewers. This is one experience that you probably want to miss. My advise to Coca Cola is not to mess too much with a recipe that is already successful. I vote for classic coke every time!
Review by: mandaz79
Dated: 5th of December, 2006
I love drinking raspberry and coke at bars and fast food outlets, so thought i would buy a bottle of raspberry coke. It was foul!! It tasted nothing like what i brought elsewhere. Wouldn't waste my money on buying this again.
Review by: dnwhakar
Dated: 22nd of August, 2005
Like the first reviewer, I found this to be completely artificial tasting. I liken the taste to cough medicine.
Very unpleasant!
Review by: native1
Dated: 13th of July, 2005
This is definately one that you only want to try once. The taste is like bumblegum and has no similarity at all to the much favoured mix of coke and rasperry that you buy from any restaurant or bar. Like all versions of Coca Cola you have to try it once, but like most it's one that I won't be rushing away and buying again.
Review by: kiwireviewer-01
Dated: 30th of June, 2005
Being one of those 'Kiwis' that likes to add some Raspberry flavouring to my Coke whenever possible I greeted this new innovation with great enthusiasim, however that quickly faded with my first taste of this beverage.
Fistly I found the taste to be quite artificial and not quite strong enough for my taste. As quoted to my by another taster of this product 'It tastes like they have added perfume'. Now I wasn't going to ask how they knew what perfume tasted like, but that quote did seem to sum up the taste somewhat.
This is one variation of coke I won't be in a hurry to purchase again, unless they modify the formula a bit.
Guest comments...
Everyone is welcome to have their say. - click here to post your comment -
I have never tasted any coke variation that tastes better than the original. The raspberry was no exception. What were they thinking?
yuck. It tastes nothing like post mix stuff. Artificial. I would not buy again. Will have to stick with going to Subway to mix my own.
I am coming from an ex-communist country and - interestingly enough - it tastes like one of the non alocoholic beverages from oooold times. So, for those who want to experience the communist taste without going to Cuba or North Korea... have a sip :)
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